But I was trying to be the kind of man who was less like a caveman and more like a partner.
I had my TS driver deposit us at one of the back entrances. Two agents met us at the service entrance, holstered and ready to shield Abi if needed.
I stepped out of the car first and scanned the perimeter. This part of the hospital was secluded. It was a common route for celebrities to use when they were discharged.
The agents nodded at me as they flanked the door.
I guided Abi inside.
“Is all this necessary?” she asked.
I folded my sunglasses and tucked them inside my jacket. “If you want to go to public places, then yes,” I answered.
We walked through the corridors and to a side elevator.
Javier had been moved from ICU and was in a regular patient room now. I punched the button for the third floor.
Abi wrung her hands together.
“It’s going to be ok,” I tried to reassure her.
She nodded. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
The elevator stopped, but I held the door closed for a brief second. “You and Javier survived something horrific together. It’s normal that seeing him is going to bring that up. You don’t have to do this until you’re ready. No one is asking you to push yourself.”
Her eyes flared. “I am. I’m asking myself. That man deserves a thank you. He deserves a car or a yacht. I don’t know, anything that a person deserves for saving someone’s life. I can put aside my own anxiety for twenty minutes to tell him that.”
She stuck her chin forward and I knew her mind was made up. I’d seen that look too many times before to try to talk her out of it. If seeing her trainer brought darkness to her, I’d hold her. If the nightmares returned tonight, I’d fight them for her. She wasn’t in this alone.
I let the door go and she we strolled into the hallway. Javier’s room was closest to the nurses’ station.
I saw a flicker of recognition on some of the nurses’ faces as Abi walked past, but they were used to stars. They weren’t the ones I was worried about.
Abi tapped on the door and it swung open.
“Are you up for visitors?” she asked.
Javier grinned. For a second I had to put myself in check and remember this man had almost died saving her. I hadn’t expected him to look like a damn Greek god.
Even in a hospital gown he was all hard muscle. I frowned as I stood next to the door. I didn’t miss the adoring look on his face when he saw Abi.
“Abi.” He grinned.
She leaned over his bed, kissing him on each cheek.
“How are you? I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” She pulled up a rolling stool and planted herself next to him.
“I was asleep for most of the week so you didn’t miss anything.”
“But still. I wanted to say thank you.” She choked, and I had to fight the urge to rush toward her and power her through this. “You saved my life, Javier. I don’t know if I can ever say thank you enough.” I saw a tear land on his hand.
“No. No.” He shook his head. “It all happened so fast. It was just instinct I guess. You don’t have to thank me. Maybe do a few extra squats at the club.” He winked.
That was it. I had gone from wanting to comfort Abi to wanting to punch the trainer. I moved slowly, my fists loose at my side. No shit he wanted to watch her do squats. She had an incredible ass.
“I never thought that chick would have had a gun. It still blows my mind. Since when do yogis carry guns?”
My head jerked. “What did you say?”